Valley Stream has a rich history of developing hockey talent. Many individuals have moved through the Valley Stream Roller Hockey League and competed and attained national championships. This year was significant because the two teams that competed were developed through the Valley Stream league with the support of many including Hot Skates in Lynbrook and Hyper Wheels, Inc.
The Mite Team (10 years) and Pee Wees (14 years) competed in the Gold Division Championships. For the Mites it was their first trip to the nationals and they exceeded expectations. With a record of two wins, one tie and one loss, they qualified for the playoffs as the seventh seed. Although they lost in their first playoff game, the experience will undoubtedly help the young team as they look to return to this level next year.
Last year, the Pee Wees had a similar experience to this year's Mite squad, finishing ninth overall. However, this helped the team recognize that their goal of playing well in the playoffs would require a lot of work. They worked hard all year and the results were remarkable. The Pee Wees had a spectacular tournament. They went undefeated in the round robin competition and the playoffs to make the championship game. They defeated teams from Toronto, Detroit, St, Louis, Florida, Las Vegas and California.
The Roadrunners' phenomenal run really began in the second game versus the Toronto Red Wings. Trailing 2-0 with less than nine minutes left in the game, the Hyper squad took off. Shorthanded, Scott Ziegler and Sean Kearney scored to tie the game. The team went on to score a total of five shorthanded goals, a NARCH tournament record with Sean Kearney completing a hat trick.
From that point, the team clicked both offensively and defensively, allowing the fewest goals in the tournament along with their championship opponent, the Arizona Stars. Goal tender Joe Rouanova was superb, posting two shutouts including an intense 1-0 playoff win over the Las Vegas Titans. Nick Velotti (9 goals, 4 assists) and Sean Kearney (8 goals, 5 assists) were the leading scorers yet the best threat the team had was its scoring versatility. Steve Kelly posted a hat trick and Scott Ziegler, Jesse Holze, Mike McBride and Rowan Porter all contributed timely goals and assists. In the final championship game, the team was losing 2-0 but stormed back with goals by Ziegler, Kearney and Velotti to take the lead. Unfortunately, the Roadrunners gave up the lead eventually, losing to the Arizona Stars, 5-3.
While the team was disappointed in falling just short of the number one spot, they have much to be proud of particularly in the fact that they represent a local community. Unlike most other teams, which are comprised of talent drawn from a wider region, even Statewide, the Hyper Roadrunners have been playing together for many years out of the Valley Stream rinks as well as Hot Skates in Lynbrook.
The new rink in Valley Strewn is fast and conducive to the tournament style of play and this has allowed players to practice more intensely. Sharing in the success of the teams were the many older players who've previously had national success. Shaun McGrath and Pete Pennecke, who hold numerous national honors, were invaluable in helping coaches Kevin Kearney and Rick Velotti of the Pee Wees and Anthony Violante with the Mites. Other, older players from the Valley Stream Roller Hockey League, including Brian Moore, Chris McKeon and countless others gave their own time to practice and lend their knowledge to the boys. The Pee Wee team's success continued recently when they traveled to South Jersey for the KOHO Cup where they won the championship over the L.I. Bulldogs, the current AAU champs. The team is currently looking forward to competing in the Winternational Tournaments for both TORHS and may well travel to Las Vegas for the NARCH Winter nationals in January.
